The county is still refining its analysis of the FEMA data but its initial assessment found:

53 percent, or roughly 265,781 of parcels in the county, were removed from the flood zones requiring insurance;

16 percent, or another 77,945 parcels, remain out of the flood zone;

25 percent, or about 121,989 parcels, remain in the flood zone; and

6 percent, or roughly 31,026, were added to the flood zone.

Mortgage lenders require homeowners who live in high risk FEMA-designated flood areas to carry flood insurance, which is provided by the federal government's National Flood Insurance Program.

The program lapsed four times last year, creating havoc for potential home buyers whose lenders require flood insurance. It is again set to expire Nov. 18 unless lawmakers extend it before then.

The new maps represent the first comprehensive review of flood zones in Broward in 14 years. But they're not final yet.

The county is holding open houses next week to allow property owners and others to examine maps and ask questions or provide feedback to local government and FEMA officials. A 90-day appeal process will start in December and the maps are expected to be final next year.

FEMA encourages property owners to buy flood insurance even if it's not required because people outside of high-risk zones submit more than 20 percent of flood insurance claims. FEMA Spokeswoman Mary Olsen said the agency expects to have a tally in about a month of initial claims submitted for the floods in South Florida last week.